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Himalayan truffle is a mushroom from the genus Truffle, belonging to the Truffle family. Also known as winter black truffle, but this is just a variation of it. The Latin name is Tuber himalayansis.
What does a Himalayan truffle look like?
The fruit body in diameter does not exceed 2 cm, and the mass is from 5 to 50 g. The surface is hard, and the pulp is dense.
The taste of this variety is mediocre, and the aroma is rich, but quickly disappears. Young specimens are odorless and tasteless.
Consistency is fleshy, cartilaginous. In cross section, the fabric resembles marble, consisting of dark and light veins. These are the external and internal veins of the fruiting body. The color of the pulp is dark purple, almost black.
Where does the Himalayan truffle grow?
Prefers regions with a mild climate. The Himalayan variety was named after the place of growth. This species grows in Tibet, forming a symbiosis with the Himalayan pine and oak. The fruit body is located under the earth at a depth of about 30 cm.
Is it possible to eat Himalayan truffle
This species is conditionally edible, so it is used as food after pre-treatment. The small size of the fruit body makes it difficult to search for it, which is why this species is not in particular demand among mushroom pickers.
False doubles
The Himalayan subspecies can be confused with the black French.
This fungus has an irregular tuberous shape, reaches 3-9 cm in diameter. Grows underground. In young specimens, the surface is reddish-brown, in old specimens it is jet black. In the place of pressure, the color changes, becoming rusty. There are small irregularities on the surface, creating from 4 to 6 faces. The aroma is strong, the taste is pleasant, with a bitter tint.
The black French truffle is a delicacy known as the “black diamond”. It is edible, used as food after pre-treatment, and in its raw form can be used as an aromatic condiment.
The main difference from the Himalayan is the large size of the fruiting body.
Himalayan truffles are often exported to European countries, passing them off as winter black ones.
Rules for collection and use
Fruiting bodies are located underground at a distance of 20 to 50 cm. It is impossible to find them on your own. The French and Italians use specially trained animals to search. Dogs and pigs have a good sense of smell, allowing them to find various species underground.
Puppies are allowed to sniff truffles, pets are selected that react to the smell of mushrooms. Then they are fed with milk with a mushroom supplement. Therefore, animals that have been trained are valued very dearly.
Pigs in the wild feed on earth mushrooms, so they are able to find them underground. These animals do not need special training.
The second method used by mushroom pickers is fly hunting. Spiny flies have been observed to lay their eggs in the ground where truffles grow. Fly larvae feed on fungi. You can find fruiting bodies by midges swarming in the foliage.
Benefits and harm to the body
Truffle is a dietary product. There are only 100 kcal per 24 g of mushrooms. The composition includes vitamins and useful trace elements: C, B1, B2, PP, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, copper.
Mushrooms have a positive effect on human health:
- accelerate the restoration of damaged tissues;
- prevent the development of malignant tumors in the intestine;
- delay the aging process of the skin;
- have an antioxidant effect on the body;
- restore the intestinal microflora.
Eating mushrooms is not recommended for women during the period of bearing and feeding a child. It is also undesirable for children under the age of 10-12 to introduce mushroom dishes into the diet.
In all other cases, the Himalayan truffle can be consumed with health benefits. The only contraindication may be individual intolerance to the product.
The Himalayan truffle can be used as an additive to a sauce or a fragrant seasoning, it is grated and added to the main dish. The special aroma of truffles is fully revealed during contact with other products. The taste is reminiscent of roasted seeds or nuts.
Conclusion
The Himalayan truffle is a representative of the mushroom kingdom that grows underground. Due to seasonality and small size, it is not particularly popular. It is often passed off as a more expensive copy – black French truffle.